They have slipped from a peak of 106,000 in 2007 to 48,000 last year — which
was partly due to the effects of the tsunami in Japan and floods in Thailand
hitting supplies to the UK and the production of cars.

But the over-riding reason was that Honda’s line-up had lost its sparkle and
become too predictable against a raft of exciting new models from rivals
such as Korean pair Hyundai and Kia.

Sporty models such as the Civic Type R, the Integra and the NSX supercar, were
all dropped as Honda became pre-occupied with green hybrids such as the
Insight and the CR-Z.

But Honda’s global boss Takanobu Ito has promised that the firm will regain
their sporty DNA to run alongside core mainstream models such as the Civic
and Jazz.

That means we can expect to see a new NSX in 2014 and performance versions of
the new Civic as early as next year, with an all-new Type R in 2014.

There will also be a new small SUV to sit under the CR-V.

That will arrive late next year or in early 2014 and is likely to be built at
Swindon, creating more jobs.

Production at Swindon dropped to 93,000 last year from a high of 250,000 in
2007 but will hit 100,000 this year.

And Honda believe new models coming on stream, including a baby SUV, will push
annual production back up to 250,000 by 2015 and see the workforce grow to
around 4,000.

So the future looks positive for Honda and particularly for Swindon — the
CR-V will be a key part of it.

At the rear, Honda have accentuated the long, horizontal tail-lights and added
more curves to make it more pleasing on the eye.

The interior also moves the game along significantly.

But Honda also needed to keep up with a host of new rivals such as the Kia
Sportage and Range Rover Evoque.

The dashboard and centre console have a much cleaner and crisper design, with
all the main dials easy to see, while the quality of the plastics and the
leather trim on high-end models has a more premium feel.

But the best bit is how much more versatile and user-friendly Honda have made
the interior, especially the fold-flat rear seats which work simply by
pulling two cords.

Boot space has increased by 148 litres to 589 with the rear seats in place,
and jumps to a cavernous 1,648 litres with them folded.

That’s enough to take three mountain bikes or four sets of golf clubs for
energetic owners, or simply lots of suitcases and clobber for a big family.

Cruiser The other neat trick is that despite being 30mm lower, Honda’s
engineers have created more space in the rear by lowering the seats to give
more leg and headroom. It’s now among the best in the class.

All the seats are big on comfort, making the CR-V an ideal long-distance
cruiser.

The other major new addition is that the CR-V comes with the option of
two-wheel drive for the first time. As this now accounts for 51 per cent of
class sales, that’s a vital new element.

The two-wheel drive option will also allow Honda to get the entry price to
between £20,000 and £22,000.

But four-wheel drive is expected to remain a big seller in the UK, especially
after the winters we’ve experienced recently.

There will be the option of the current 2litre petrol and 2.2litre diesel
engines at launch next month but both units have improved CO2 emissions and
fuel economy. A 1.6 diesel will follow next year.

The petrol returns just under 40mpg and the diesel close to 50mpg, and both
have a useful turn of speed.

But the biggest improvement is a big reduction of engine noise inside the
CR-V.

At motorway speeds both the petrol and diesel are whisper-quiet, making the
CR-V an effortlessly relaxing drive.

I was less impressed with the six-speed manual gearbox.

It lacked the slickness of some of its rivals, although Honda say our test
vehicles were pre-production cars and they are working on improvements.

That said, the automatic was a very smooth option that a growing number of
buyers will take up.

Prices are expected to start around £20,000 and rise to £35,000.

I’d go for a model in the mid-twenties, which is good value. You now get a lot
more car for your money and Honda’s renowned reliability – they have been
the No1 manufacturer for the past seven years.

But the high-spec versions over £30,000 put the CR-V up against the Range
Rover Evoque – and that’s a battle it can’t win, despite its many
improvements.